Five Things to Research before Your Job Interview

You’ve probably heard people say that before a job interview you should do a little research about the company and the industry in general. That’s true – but when you get to the corporate website, how can you determine what information is important for you to know?

Of course, every job is different, but here are five things that everyone should know before any job interview if you actually want to find a job:

1. The average salary for workers in your desired position

One of the most common questions during a job interview is, “What is your desired salary?” It’s uncomfortable to answer, but if you’re prepared, it will be a much easier question. Find out the average salary for this position, as well as the cost of living in the location where you want to work so you aren’t tongue-tied when they ask.

2. Some of the biggest accomplishments of the company in the past year

It’s a good thing to know what’s going on with the company. If you can bring up it up, do so – it shows that you’ve done your homework and really are interested in working with the company. Check out the press section of their website if they have one and look for the company via Google News to see what’s most notable about them.

3. Any information about the department you’ll be working in

Find out as much about your specific working environment as possible before the interview. Many companies put up pictures and other information on their websites, and their site might also give some information about how the company is structured. It’s valuable to know this information so you can tailor your answers to more closely fit the kind of employee they need.

4. Recent industry news and technological advances

Lots of people out there are looking for jobs. In many cases, the ones who are offered positions are those who are forward-thinking and progressive. Make sure you’re up to date with what’s going on in the industry, especially with technological advances.

5. The names of the people who own the company and manage the location where you’ll be working

If they’re made available, try to find out the names of the people who will be your managers/bosses. Some websites give employees a bio area, which is a really good part of the site to read. It’s especially good to know a little about the people who will be interviewing you!